Method and device for the separation and isolation of blood or bone marrow components

Apparatus for the centrifugal separation of fractional components of a specimen liquid mixture such as blood, by centrifuging the liquid in a flexible source reservoir so as to separate the fractional components radially with respect to a centrifuge axis, and, while centrifuging, transferring a separated fractional component thereof from the source reservoir, wherein the apparatus includes a conduit connected to the source reservoir for effecting said transferring, said conduit being oriented so as to have along its length a directional component radially directed toward the axis so as to maintain therein during said centrifuging a sufficient centrifugal gradient for inhibiting mixing of the separated fractional components therein during said transferring.

Apparatus for the isolation of fluid components contained in sequential segments of a tube, such apparatus comprising:

• a plateau for supporting the tube in a linear fashion next to a rail,
• a rail, mounted on the plateau, and having a plurality of clamp members movably attached thereto, such that each said clamp may be positioned at a variable spacing from other clamp members between each said sequential segment of the rube for isolating the fluid component in the said segment.

A centrifuge for the separation of fractional components of a specimen liquid mixture such as blood by centrifuging the liquid in a source reservoir so as to separate the fractional components into radial layers, and while centrifuging transferring a fractional component thereof via a conduit to a receiving reservoir, said conduit, source reservoir and receiving reservoir forming a closed fluid system, said source reservoir being located at least in part radially outward from said receiving reservoir, the apparatus including a blocking member for blocking flow from the source reservoir through the conduit, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

• means for controlling the blocking member to permit or block flow,
• an orifice defining a portion of a flow path from the source reservoir to the conduit, and
• a restriction member responsive to the presence of a desired fractional component at the orifice, to partially block the orifice, thereby diminishing the rate of flow from the source reservoir.

Centrifugal apparatus for separating fractional components of a specimen fluid mixture such as blood, and including a flexible source reservoir having an outlet, at least one receiving reservoir, and means for rotating the source and the at least one receiving reservoir about an axis at a speed sufficient to effect the separation of the fractional component, such apparatus further including

• a conduit extending from the outlet to the at least one receiving reservoir whereby to define a closed fluid system, said conduit having an orientation effective to establish a centrifugal gradient when the centrifuge rotates to prevent mixing of separated blood components in the conduit,
• a reservoir of make-up fluid, and
• means for flowing the make-up fluid under pressure into fluid pressure communication with the fluid system for maintaining the fluid system in a pressurized condition thereby preventing the formation of an under pressure condition in the conduit.

A set for use in a centrifugal apparatus in the separation of a desired fractional component of a fluid mixture such as blood, and comprising a source reservoir and a conduit connected thereto for transferring fluid from the source reservoir, the desired fractional component occurring in a characteristic volume in the said source reservoir, wherein the conduit is a tube having an interior volume at least equal to said characteristic volume, whereby by orienting the tube against a centrifugal gradient during centrifuging the desired fractional component may be transferred into the tube and entirely contained therein without mixing of the separated component.

A support member for supporting a flexible blood receiving set in a centrifuge, such member including:

• a support surface for winding a conduit thereon in an orientation so as to have along the length of the conduit a sufficient component along the centrifugal gradient of the centrifuge to maintain separation of blood components in the conduit, and
• means defining the location of said unwinding so as to achieve the said orientation of the conduit on the support surface.